The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced a final extension for the submission of research and development (R&D) proposals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

The ministry had issued its second Call for Proposals on 14 July 2025, inviting eligible academic institutions, research bodies, and industry players to submit R&D proposals by 21 August 2025. However, following requests from multiple stakeholders for additional time to prepare detailed submissions, the deadline has now been extended to 15 September 2025.

According to the ministry, this will be the last extension granted, with no further requests for deadline changes to be considered. All other terms and conditions outlined in the original Call for Proposals remain unchanged. The decision has been formally approved by the Competent Authority.

The R&D component is a critical pillar of the ₹19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was launched in 2023 to accelerate the transition to clean fuels and position India as a global hub for green hydrogen production, storage, and utilisation. The mission places strong emphasis on innovation in electrolysis technologies, storage solutions, hydrogen-based mobility, and industrial applications.

Officials note that India has already made significant progress since the mission’s inception. Electrolyser manufacturing capacity of 3,000 MW has been awarded to 15 companies, while production capacity of 8,62,000 tonnes per annum has been allocated to 19 firms. R&D is expected to play a pivotal role in reducing costs, improving efficiencies, and ensuring scalability of these technologies in the coming decade.

By granting additional time for submissions, MNRE aims to encourage quality proposals that can strengthen India’s research ecosystem and foster international collaboration. The extension is expected to allow more comprehensive project designs, particularly in areas such as advanced materials, innovative hydrogen carriers, and fuel cell applications.

Stakeholders welcomed the decision, noting that meaningful research requires careful preparation. However, the ministry has reiterated that the September deadline is final, urging institutions to adhere strictly to the timeline.

The Call for Proposals comes at a time when India is stepping up efforts to meet its ambitious target of 500 gigawatts of non-fossil fuel-based capacity by 2030 and to create over six lakh jobs in the green hydrogen sector.

With R&D forming the backbone of long-term progress, the ministry’s move reflects its intent to strike a balance between responsiveness to industry needs and the urgency of advancing India’s clean energy agenda.

Source:

https://solarquarter.com/2025/08/20/mnre-grants-final-extension-for-green-hydrogen-rd-proposal-submissions/